Subject-verb agreement is a critical aspect of writing that plays a crucial role in ensuring that your content is grammatically correct and easy to read. It involves matching the subject of a sentence with the appropriate verb form to ensure that there is proper tense agreement. One of the most common examples of subject-verb agreement is am, are, and is. In this article, we will explore what these three verbs mean and how to use them correctly in writing.

Am, are, and is are all forms of the verb “to be.” They are three different forms of the same verb, which means that they have different uses depending on the subject of the sentence. Am is used with the pronouns “I,” “we,” “you,” and “they,” while “is” is used with “he,” “she,” and “it.” “Are” is used with “we,” “you,” and “they.”

When using am, are, and is, it is important to ensure that they match the subject of the sentence in terms of number and person. For instance, if the subject is singular, you should use “is,” while if it is plural, you should use “are.” Similarly, if the subject is in the first person, “am” should be used, while “is” for the third person. Here are some examples:

– I am going to the store. (first person singular)

– He is going to the store. (third person singular)

– We are going to the store. (first person plural)

– They are going to the store. (third person plural)

There are some cases where subject-verb agreement can be tricky. For instance, when using collective nouns, it can be difficult to determine whether to use “is” or “are.” A collective noun refers to a group of people or things and can be singular or plural, depending on the context. Here are some examples:

– The team is playing well. (singular collective noun)

– The team members are playing well. (plural collective noun)

In some cases, the noun can be both a singular and a plural noun, depending on the context. For instance, in the sentence “The jury is deliberating,” the noun “jury” is singular, while in the sentence “The jury members are arguing,” it is plural.

In summary, subject-verb agreement is essential in ensuring that your writing is clear and grammatically correct. Understanding the differences between am, are, and is is crucial in getting subject-verb agreement right. Remember to match your verb form with the subject in terms of number and person, and pay attention to collective nouns, which can be singular or plural, depending on the context. With these tips in mind, you can ensure that your writing is both professional and polished.